Communik.io : Site & App builder
communik.io

Choose which fields collection search uses

Make useful text searchable and distinguish search from filters and public-site search.
Published on 11/5/2026

Collection search works with the fields configured for its search index. If a word is present in a record but its field is excluded, a search for that word may return no result.

1. Choose useful fields

Open Edit columns & collection, edit a relevant text field and enable its search option. A title is usually a useful starting point. Enable other fields only when their contents should help editors find records.

The example starts by indexing Title while keeping a separate Note field out of the index.

The title included in collection search.

2. Save and let the index update

Save the field and the collection. Allow the index refresh to finish before judging the result. Searching immediately during a rebuild is not a reliable check of the final index.

3. Test with a known word

Search for a word that occurs in one known title. Check that the expected record appears and an unrelated record is absent. Clear the search to return to the collection.

A word stored only in the excluded Note field should not be treated as a title-search match.

The known word returns the matching title.

4. Add another searchable field

Enable search for Note, save and allow the index to refresh. Search for the known note word again. The matching record should now appear. Reopen the field settings to confirm the option was saved.

The recording compares the same data before and after the searchable-field change.

The note field added to the search index.
The note word now returns its matching record.

5. Keep the three mechanisms distinct

Search matches text in the configured index. A filter compares particular fields with explicit conditions. Public-site search is a visitor-facing feature with its own page connection and configuration. Enabling a CMS field for search does not add a search box to the public site.

Search and filter the table · Compare field types